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Conditional  Clauses  
Conditionals  are  composed  of  two  clauses,  the  conditional  clause  (beginning  with  if-­‐)  and  a  main  
clause  (then-­‐).  There  are  two  types  of  conditional  clauses:  

Real  conditional  clauses  

These  clauses  suggest  that  a  situation  is  or  was  true,  or  may  have  been  or  become  true.  There  are  two  
types  of  the  real  conditional  clauses:  

a) Those  that  talk  about  the  past  use  the  past  tense  in  both  the  if-­‐clause  and  the  main  clause.
• Whenever  she  asked  me,  I  helped  her  out.

b) Those  that  refer  to  the  present  or  future  just  take  present  tense  in  the  conditional  clause,
(not  “will”)  in  the  conditional  clause.  The  main  clause  can  take  present,  future,  or
imperative
• When  I  go  to  Berlin,  I  travel  by  train.
• If  anyone  calls,  tell  them  I’ll/I  will  be  back  at  4pm.  (not  “will  call”)
• If  you  leave  now,  you  will/I’ll  be  home  in  three  hours.
• I’ll  give  you  a  lift  if  it  rains  (now…if  it  will  rain…)

Unreal  conditional  clauses  

These  clauses  suggest  that  a  situation  is  unreal  –  that  it  is  imaginary,  untrue,  or  impossible.  For  
present  or  future  situations,  we  use  the  past  tense  (simple  or  continuous)  in  the  if-­‐clause  and  “would”  
+  bare  infinitive  in  the  main  clause.  We  can  also  use  could/might/should  (have)  instead  of  would  
(have).  We  don't  use  the  past  simple  or  past  perfect  in  the  main  clause      

• If  I  went  to  Berlin,  I  would  travel  by  train.

• We  might  have  found  a  better  hotel  if  we’d  driven  a  few  more  blocks.
Notice  that  sometimes  we  use  if…were  instead  of  if…was  

• I’d  offer  you  a  ride  if  my  car  were  here.

When  we  talk  about  something  that  might  have  happened  in  the  past,  but  didn't,  then  we  use  if  +  past  
perfect  and  would  have  +  past  participle  in  the  main  clause:      
• If  had  known  how  difficult  the  job  would  be,  I  wouldn't  have  taken  it.

In  unreal  conditionals  we  use  if...were  +  to-­‐infinitive  to  talk  about  imaginary  future  situations:  
• If  the  technology  were  to  become  available,  we  would  be  able  to  expand  the  business.
• If  he  were  to  have  a  chance  of  success,  he  would  need  to  move  to  London.

Hosna  Sheikholeslami  @May  2015  

 Aliquam
Exercises  
dolor.
In  each  sentence,  identify  the  “if-­‐clause,”  the  main  clause,  and  the  type  of  conditional  (real  or  unreal).  If  
necessary,  correct  the  sentences.  

1. If  Jeremy  had  been  ethical,  he  would  return  the  money.

2. If  Sasha  would  have  really  wanted  to  see  me,  he  would  have  come  earlier.
byline

3. If  she  doesn't  break  the  vase  then  who  is  responsible?

Lorem Ipsum

4. If  Stephanie  will  continue  to  work  hard,  she  should  get  a  good  grade  in  the  course.

5. Ahmad  would  have  been  robbed  if  Kelly  hadn't  come  along.

6. I'd  be  able  to  go  to  court  first  thing  in  the  morning  if  I  stay  in  town  overnight.

7. Call  the  operator  if  you  want  to  place  a  call.

8. You'd  be  amazed  if  I  told  you  how  much  this  cost.

9. If  I  had  suddenly  announced  that  school  was  cancelled,  the  children  had  celebrated.

10. We  might  soon  be  rolling  in  dough  soon  if  all  will  go  according  to  plan.

Sources  and  Further  Reading/Practice:    

Hewings,  Martin.  Advanced  Grammar  in  Use:  A  self  study  reference  and  practice  book  for  advance  learners  
of  English.  Cambridge:  Cambridge  University  Press,  1999  (198-­‐201).